Repulsive Beauty || Hisoka

17. On What It Means to Bleed

I almost felt sick to my stomach sitting in the stands as we all patiently waited for the fight to start. I think what's most uncomfortable about it is not having any idea what to expect. The whole crowd was buzzing in excitement, like they couldn't wait to see someone get ripped to shreds. Like that's what they bought a ticket for. I guess it could be, only time will tell.

Hisoka looked so small from way up here, like a toy figurine.

Cocco introduced the fight and they were off.

Seeing Kastro land the first hit was cause for concern enough, never mind the following two additional ones. I had only heard of Hisoka ever being hit significantly in Heaven's Arena 4 times before this. Two were Kastro's critical hit and knock down two years ago, another was a fluke, and the last was Gon. Yet he had just taken three hits and was still on the run.

Kastro was threatening to take Hisoka's arm off with some tiger bite fist technique, which didn't seem likely.

Until he did it. He severed Hisoka's arm just below the elbow, and it flew into the air.

My stomach dropped. He really was in danger wasn't he? Had he underestimated Kasto's strength? I warned him! I warned him. I can't do anything else.

By the end of the fight Hisoka had lost both of his arms, yet seemingly had reattached one of them mid-fight. I watched through gyo that was as powerful as I could muster, to be sure I was seeing everything. Despite nearly vomiting with anxiety earlier in the match, I could see Hisoka's plan to finish the fight, and I could finally relax.

Kastro was dead. Impaled by Hisoka's 13 cards, he laid on the stage unmoving and Hisoka walked away.

I should've trusted him when he said he wasn't worried. But I doubt he was anticipating the damage he took.

I took a few deep breaths and left the bleachers to see if Hisoka was in the infirmary.

How did I know he wasn't going to be? Is he just calling his lost arms a lost cause or what?

I decided to go up to his floor and see if he had just gone back. For some reason I just felt like I really had to see him up close to know he wasn't actually dead. The whole fight felt too unreal.

The elevator came to a stop on his level and I knocked on his door.

He has to be here right? Where else could he be. Maybe they took him to an actual hospital?

The door clicked open interrupting my thought.

"Oh hi darling, come in." he said, and stepped aside holding the door for me, both arms were attached.

"Machi and I were just discussing the fight. Machi you've met Tess, correct?"

"Yeah I have, how are you, Tess?" Machi greeted politely.

"I'm fine thanks, and you?"

"I'm good. You should really keep tabs on your idiot boyfriend though, my nen stitches can't do everything." She said, shooting a glare at Hisoka.

"Well they did enough for me to live another day. Thank you again Machi."

"No problem." she said heading to the door, "Oh by the way. The Troupe meeting's been changed, it's now August 30th. And not just for the members with nothing better to do."

"Will the boss be there?" Hisoka asked, his aura fluttering.

"Yeah probably. Just show up okay? It was nice seeing you, Tess." She said finally walking out the door.

"You too!... Troupe meeting huh? Like the girl scouts?" I taunted.

"Yes, exactly like that." He replied, not offering any further explanation.